(Eijun's POV)
I waved goodbye to Rei-chan, balancing all the new equipment in my arms, and caught a glimpse of her talking with Okaasan near the porch. The moment they turned away, I dashed to the backyard, excitement buzzing through me.
The smell of grass, the open air, and the quiet hum of the countryside—it all felt like the perfect training ground. I set down the pitching net and started assembling the pitching machine piece by piece.
*Hey, Jack—pull up the menu.*
The familiar calm voice echoed in my head. "Yes, Eijun."
A soft ding sounded screen shimmered into view right in front of me.
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Main Menu
name: Sawamura Eijun
Age: 15
Sport: Baseball
Position: pitcher
Potential: SSS+
current ability: D
Attribute points: 30
Wheel tickets: 4 (2 B, 2 S)
unread messages: 6
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I blinked. *Wait, Jack, when did I get all this? The points, the tickets… and what are those unread messages?*
"The unread messages," Jack said evenly, "are missions you completed without being notified. Some had no penalties for missing them, so the system didn't alert you. They're mostly hidden missions, rewards only."
*So you're telling me I completed secret missions without realizing it and still got the rewards?*
"Exactly."
I grinned. *Nice.* I tapped the 'unread Messages' icon.
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unread messages:
message:
Mission: strikeout Azuma in three pitches
reward: + 10 Attribute points, one bronze wheel ticket
-----
Message:
mission: strikeout Azuma in three pitches
Completed
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Message:
Hidden misson: Impress 'Rei-chan'
Reward: + 10 attribute points, one bronze wheel ticket, one C grade body strengthening potion
-----
Message:
HIdden mission: Impress 'Rei-chan'
Completed
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Message:
HIdden mission: Impress 'Boss'
Reward: + 10 attribute points, two silver wheel tickets, two B grade body strengthening potions
-----
Message:
Hidden mission: Impress 'Boss'
Completed
---------------
My eyes widened a little. *Wait body strengthening potions?*
"They're potions that increase one random stat by a set amount," Jack explained. "E-grade gives +20, D +50, C +75, B +100, A +150, and S +200. But the stronger the potion, the more it hurts. Your body literally reconstructs itself at high speed. It takes five minutes, and I can activate a mute field so no one hears your screams."
*That sounds amazing… and terrifying.* I took a deep breath. *Let's do it. The C-grade one.*
"Understood. I'll activate a recovery potion automatically afterward. Lie down first."
I lay on the cool grass, looking up at the sky. For a second, everything was calm—then my muscles caught fire.
My legs felt like they were being torn apart and stitched back together again. I tried to scream, but no sound escaped. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I clenched my fists, riding out the agony.
Five minutes later, the pain finally faded, replaced by a strange warmth spreading through my body. My breathing slowed, and my legs—though shaky at first—felt stronger, firmer.
*Jack, which stat got boosted?*
The screen flashed again.
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STATS MENU
Attribute Points: 30
Stamina: D (50/100)
Speed: D (16/100) +75
Agility: D- (57/100)
Strength: E (63/100)
Flexibility: C (90/100)
Control: E (47/100)
Batting: E (18/100)
Bunting: B (71/100)
Fielding: E (48/100)
Base Running: E+ (25/100)
Mentality: B (55/100)
Baseball IQ: C+ (55/100)
Non-Dominant Arm: E (39/100)
Skills: 6 (tap for more info)
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"It upgraded your Speed by seventy-five points," Jack reported. "From D- to solid D."
I couldn't help but grin. *That's awesome, Jack! Give ten points to Control and the other twenty to Stamina.*
The screen flickered again, updating instantly.
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STATS MENU
Attribute Points: 0
Stamina: D (70/100) +20
Speed: D (16/100)
Agility: D- (57/100)
Strength: E (63/100)
Flexibility: C (90/100)
Control: E (57/100) +10
Batting: E (18/100)
Bunting: B (71/100)
Fielding: E (48/100)
Base Running: E+ (25/100)
Mentality: B (55/100)
Baseball IQ: C+ (55/100)
Non-Dominant Arm: E (39/100)
Skills: 6 (tap for more info)
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Satisfied, I stretched my arms. *Alright, Jack—show me the wheel. Time to spin.*
A glowing bronze wheel materialized in front of me, symbols dancing along its rim.
*Spin twice.*
The first spin stopped on (Perfect Steal (Lv. 5))
The second landed on (Outfield Throw (Lv. 3))
"Yes! Yosh, yosh, yosh!" I jumped to my feet, fist pumping the air.
"Eijun! Shut up out there!" Ojiisan's voice barked from inside.
"Sorry, Ojiisan!" I called back with a sheepish laugh.
*Jack, what do these do?*
"Perfect Steal predicts the exact moment to take off, it guarantees a successful steal. The higher the level, the easier it becomes against top-level catchers," Jack explained.
*That's ridiculously good. And Outfield Throw?*
"It ensures a perfect throw from the outfield to your teammate's glove every time. Speed and accuracy improve with level."
*That's incredible,* I thought, grinning even wider.
The bronze wheel faded, replaced by a shining silver one.
*This is the silver one, right?*
"Correct."
*Then spin twice again.*
The first spin landed on (Stamina Boost (Lv. MAX))
The second on (Pressure (Lv. 6))
"Stamina Boost," Jack said, "lets you pitch four more innings even when you've completely run out of stamina. No loss of speed or control but only at max level."
I laughed. *That's a total cheat skill!*
"Pressure is passive. It affects the batter's composure. The higher the level, the greater the pressure you exert—like your senpai Yūki when he bats, or Narumiya Mei when he pitches."
*Ohh, that's perfect.*
Jack's voice softened. "Also, Eijun—I can read your thoughts. You don't need to hide your IQ from me."
I froze. *Yeah… I figured you knew. I changed so much already—with Rei-chan, with Okaasan… I'm pretty sure Rei-chan knows this time too. Meaning Boss knows as well.* I let out a slow breath. *Guess I'll just see how it all unfolds.*
"It won't be a bad change, Eijun. Don't worry."
*Thanks, Jack.*
I got up, rolling my shoulders. *Time to finish my daily routine.*
Five kilometers of running. Fifty push-ups. Fifty burpees. Fifty ten-meter tire sprints. Fifty pull-ups. Thirty minutes of ballet. Thirty minutes of yoga.
By the end, my whole body throbbed, but I could feel it—my endurance was already better than yesterday. I dropped onto the grass, catching my breath.
*Jack, activate a recovery potion. Then add ten points to Agility and another ten to Stamina.*
Warmth spread through me again, soothing every aching muscle.
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STATS MENU
Attribute Points: 0
Stamina: D (81/100) +10
Speed: D (17/100)
Agility: D- (68/100) +10
Strength: E (64/100)
Flexibility: C (91/100)
Control: E (58/100)
Batting: E (19/100)
Bunting: B (72/100)
Fielding: E (49/100)
Base Running: E+ (26/100)
Mentality: B (56/100)
Baseball IQ: C+ (56/100)
Non-Dominant Arm: E (40/100)
Skills: 10 (tap for more info)
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I smiled faintly. *Alright, let's get this over with. Activate both B-grade body strengthening potions. Mute system on. Recovery potions after.*
"Understood."
A second later, pain ripped through me like fire. My stomach clenched, lungs burning as if something inside me was tearing apart. I grabbed at my shirt, twisting in silent agony.
*Oh god, this is so much worse than the first one!*
Five minutes crawled by. Then warmth returned—just long enough for another surge of pain to crash over me, even stronger. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to endure until it finally subsided.
*Jack… remind me never to do two back-to-back again.*
"Will do, Eijun," he replied calmly.
I dragged myself inside, showered in blissfully warm water, then changed into my pajamas. When I looked at the mirror, my reflection seemed… sharper somehow. My muscles firmer, my posture straighter.
*Jack, show me my stats.*
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STATS MENU
Attribute Points: 0
Stamina: D+ (81/100) +100
Speed: D (17/100)
Agility: D- (68/100)
Strength: E+ (64/100) +100
Flexibility: C (91/100)
Control: E (58/100)
Batting: E (19/100)
Bunting: B (72/100)
Fielding: E (49/100)
Base Running: E+ (26/100)
Mentality: B (56/100)
Baseball IQ: C+ (56/100)
Non-Dominant Arm: E (40/100)
Skills: 10 (tap for more info)
---------------
*So that boosted Stamina and Strength, huh?*
"Correct. Oh—and if you eat three bowls of rice at dinner, you'll unlock a skill that lets you always eat and keep down that amount after."
I snorted. *That's the kind of cheat I like!*
Grinning, I sprinted downstairs.
Dinner with Okaasan, Ojiisan, and Otoosan was as loud and warm as ever. I cleared three bowls without hesitation, brushed my teeth, and headed to bed with a satisfied grin.